Baking Essentials

What's the difference between baking soda and baking powder?

Baking soda's scientific name is sodium bicarbonate. Add liquid and acid ingredients to baking soda recipes to make doughs and batters rise in the oven. Baking powder is sodium bicarbonate with acidic agents already in the powder mix, so it only requires liquid in the recipe to make cakes and other baked goods rise.

Which cooking oil is best for baking?

For the best flavor in cakes and other sweetened baked goods, use a light vegetable oil like canola oil. For savory breads, use a more flavorful oil like olive oil. For high-heat baking, use peanut oil or sunflower oil, which can both handle high temperatures.

How do I use coconut flour?

Coconut flour is gluten-free and keto friendly with a much denser and more absorbent texture than standard baking flour. Don't try a straight conversion from standard flour to coconut flour, but add up to one part coconut flour for four parts standard flour. Try a few coconut flour recipes to gain confidence with this unique baking ingredient.